At an event in The Netherlands today Microsoft's Partner Group Program Manager for the Windows 8 Developer Platform Ian LeGrow explained that the Windows 8 app development program was designed for non developers. He outlined the process of creating and submitting an app.

According to LeGrow there are important consistent elements to all Metro style apps: Metro style tiled design, fast and navigation, support for multiple states and devices, and support for the right Charms, or navigational elements. The good news however - according to LeGrow at least - is that Microsoft will do three quarters of this work for you. He sais that an app that is mere stable fast, and easy to use is merely a three-star application, and one that is beautifully designed,and functionally complete just four stars. But he stressed that using Microsoft's Dev Center this work would be largely done for would-be developers. The tricky part, he said, is to 'delight and capture imagination'. And on that devs are on their own.

But it would be worth making the effort, LeGrow said, because the Windows Store offers world-wide reach, and rich back-end analytrics. He said that Microsoft offers powerful tools, code and design tools, and that anyone can use a variety of skills to code in multiple languages including HTML, DX, Javascript, C/C++, XAML and C#, using VisualBasic. The tools required to create Windows 8 apps are all free, and Windows RunTime APIs offer the ability to create apps that take advantage of local and cloud services. That's one platform for multiple devices, written in a language you know. See also: Windows 8 Tablet review. For more on the changes in Windows 8 and how to use them visit Windows 8 Advisor. For detailed advice on installing Windows 8 Release Preview, read our article: How to install Windows 8.

Developing Windows 8 apps: where to start

That's the easiest bit: head over to the Dev Center, at dev.windows.com. Here you'll find the Metro Style Apps Dashboard, which is the key entry point for developers. You can create an app as a project, reserving its name. You'll also find tutorials telling you how to code Windows 8 apps, and code samples. LeGrow demonstrated this by searching for the term 'Geo-location' - he found code samples in multiple languages, commented with advice. So you can use the language you already have to adapt the code. There are more than 500 such samples in multiple languages, LeGrow said.

At the Dev Center you can also download the Windows 8 RP and useful tools inwhich to code your app. There is a Support tab, as well as Community, and the Windows Runtime Component allows multiple languages to work together in the same app.

Without writing a single line of code, you can preview a basic app with no content, and then tweak from there. As you code you can see a live preview - hovering over code in Visual Studio let's you see how your app appears while it is still running, or you can simulate the app in a small window, running the app as you code it, adjusting the screen size to see how it looks on different screen sizes, and in different aspect ratios. Here you can also take multiple screenshots of apps in development in order to aid the design process.

Baked in functions require only a single line of code - you simple add in the code for 'Share' to add social and email options, for instance. To improve the design you can visually change application in VisualBasic Blend - a tool that has an interface like a DTP program. HTML taken from a website renders in the app - so If your syndicated HTML includes video tags, you don't need to 'add' video capability to your app, Windows 8 will work it out. And video automatically streams out to Xbox - controlled from Windows device - with zero code required (like 'Share').

Apps run on Windows RT devices, as well as X86 Windows 8.

Once you have a working app, you head back to the Dev Center to create an app package and submit it to the Windows Store. Microsoft will run content checks, and technical checks before deciding whether to list your app, but LeGrow said this was a 'transparent process that gives users confidence that apps are going to be great'. To help this process you can run the Windows App Certification Kit, which LeGrow claimed is the same tool run by Microsoft for pre-Store technical checks. If your app passes your own test, it is going to pass the code check, he said. And if it fails before you submit, you get immediate feedback.

Once you have an app that has passed you add an age rating, name, cryptography, and notes to testers, and then wait for your app to appear in the Store.

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roschler said: Hello Nice round-up of the most important dev tips for Windws 8 Heres a few typos1 He sais that an app that is mere stable fast and easy to use is merely a three-star applicationHe says that an app that is merely stable fast and easy to use is only a three-star application2 anyone can use a variety of skills to code in multiple languages including HTML DX Javascript CC XAML and C usingVisualBasicanyone can use a variety of skills to code in multiple languages including HTML DX Javascript CC XAML C andVisualBasicYou dont use VB to program in other languages3 At the Dev Center you can also download the Windows 8 RP and useful tools inwhichinwhich - gt in which4 To improve the design you can visually change application in VisualBasic BlendTo improve the design you can visually change your application in VisualBasic Blendadded your-- roscher